Olympic dream still on says runner Radcliffe

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LONDON (AFP) - Women's world marathon record holder Paul Radcliffe of Britain said on Thursday she was not letting go of her dream to race in the Beijing Olympics despite injury problems.

A frustrating season has seen what was once thought to be a left hip injury in fact confirmed by Radcliffe as a minor stress fracture of her femur.

"I'm thinking positive. I am looking at it as 90-100 percent that I will be in Beijing, although other people will put it a lot lower," Radcliffe said. "I can do it."

Radcliffe added however specialists had been much more pessimistic, saying it would now be "impossible" for her to complete enough training to be fully fit for this summer's Games in the Chinese capital, with the Olympic marathon scheduled for August 17.

She said it was a "bombshell" to learn the news but insisted: "It's going to be tough but I'm not giving up. It's going to go down to the wire and I will need a bit of luck. It's been a nightmare last three weeks but I'm trying to stay calm about it.

"Everything has been done with Beijing in mind, it's been a huge focal point and it's hugely important to me.

The 34-year-old is desperate to make up for failing to finish four years ago in Athens when hampered by a leg injury and stomach upset while being the pre-race favourite.